Most Habsburg emperors liked to build monuments to themselves (the Imperial equivalent of the selfie), but the one honouring the reign of Empress Maria Theresa is an exception. It was unveiled in 1888, under the rule of one of her successors, Franz Joseph.
- Huge monument with the Empress towering over four sets of statues, each representing a facet of her rule
- On the square between the Art History and Natural History Museums
- Among the famous people found on the monument: Mozart & Haydn
- See also: Mozart location guide | Haydn location guide
Background
The late 19th century was a time of great construction works in Vienna, using the space freed up by the removal of the city fortifications. One of the centrepieces of those works was the area housing the “Kunsthistorisches” and “Naturhistorisches” museums, who face each other across a square now known as Maria-Theresien-Platz. A huge monument dominates the centre of this square.
Unveiled in 1888, the monument pays tribute to the reign of Empress Maria Theresa (1717-1780), who inherited the Habsburg lands in a fairly precarious position and turned them into something rather more successful. She did this without much help from military victories, relying more on the strength of her personality and strategic marriages for her numerous kids (she gave birth to 16).
Various people contributed to the bronze, granite and serpentinite construction, including:
- The sculptor, Caspar von Zumbusch, who also produced the city’s famous Beethoven monument
- The architect, Carl von Hasenauer – a major contributor to many of the iconic buildings around the ring, including the two museums flanking the monument
- The historian, Alfred von Arneth, who had written a 10-volume biography of the Empress, so had a pretty good grasp of the themes and personalities that should appear alongside her
Maria Theresa sits on a throne at the top of the monument, hand outstretched. Below her, the four riders are all military commanders with such marvellous names as Otto Ferdinand von Abensberg und Traun (Otto to his mates).
Each side of the huge plinth features groups of personalities representing, respectively, her advisors, her administration, the military, and arts & science. Each side has a main character as a full statue and behind him (it was always a him), further individuals of the genre in partial relief.
Mozart and Haydn
The side of the monument facing the Natural History Museum addresses the arts and sciences. The main figure is Gerhard van Swieten, Maria Theresa’s personal doctor, but also a key figure in the “modernisation” of medicine and medical teaching in 18th-century Vienna.
Of more interest to us are the figures behind him on the relief. Above his left shoulder is Joseph Haydn, who composed a symphony for the visit of the Empress to one of the Esterházy palaces while he was employed by that family.
Haydn’s hand rests on the shoulder of a young child – Mozart. The two were friends, joined in mutual respect, despite the age difference (Haydn was around 24 years older). It was Mozart, of course, who delighted the Empress as a child with a performance in Schönbrunn Palace. You can see the room it took place in on the palace tour.
How to get to the monument
If you’re taking in the main sights, you’re sure to see the monument in passing, anyway. It also sits in the middle of one of the main Christmas markets: the aptly-named Weihnachtsdorf on Maria-Theresien-Platz.
Subway: Take the U2 line to either Museumsquartier or Volkstheater (which is also a stop on the U3 line)
Tram: Most of the trams that travel along the Ring boulevard stop opposite the square (get out at either Burgring or Ring/Volkstheater). These include the lines 1, 2, 71, and D. The 46 and 49 lines also stop at the Ring/Volkstheater station
Bus: The 48A goes to Ring/Volkstheater, the 57A to Burgring
Address: Maria-Theresien-Platz, 1010 Vienna